While he has not yet spoken to Perry about a possible run, Branstad said the Texas governor chatted recently by phone with Kim Reynolds, his lieutenant governor.
Branstad, who was in Utah for the National Governors Association annual meeting, told CNN that Perry's fact-finding calls into Iowa have left him with the impression that a presidential bid is likely.

He predicted that Perry will jump in "sometime after" the Ames Straw Poll on August 13.

Branstad also said Perry can "absolutely" afford to skip the straw poll, traditionally a test of each campaign's organizational strength in the leadoff caucus state.

One candidate who cannot afford to skip the straw poll is former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has been campaigning in Iowa for more than a year and must beat expectations in the state if he hopes to continue his campaign beyond the early nominating states.

Pawlenty "needs to do well" in the straw poll, Branstad said, but said a poor showing would not derail his campaign. He said Pawlenty has an experienced team of Iowa advisers that will keep him competitive beyond Ames.

As for the Iowa frontrunner, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Branstad said Perry or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin could complicate her path to victory in Iowa.

Bachmann is "off to a fast start" in Iowa, he said.

But Palin in particular would make the race "real interesting" for Bachmann because both Republicans are "articulate women who sometimes attract the same kind of voter."

soundoff(16 Responses)

Marie MD

Did this idiot just call the rethug "girls" articulate? Where has he been in the last three years? One screeches nothings, the other one is asked questions about her husband's anti gay clinic and all she can say is I am running for president.
Let's see one traitor(and a traitor husband) witch (AK indpendent party) from AK, a complete flake and that husband of hers from MN, a secessionist from TX, a throw away from PA, a liar/cheat from the 90s, a pizza king, one romneycare, one delusional arse from the land of a thousand broken bridges, one libertarian who wants to go back to the times of white/black drinking fountains . . . . . there are so many that I will stop right now before I lose my sanity.
What a list of losers!!! GAWD!!! 😦 😦

July 15, 2011 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |

loveurick

Governor Perry will indeed run. He's the one Republican who can actually win in 2012. And win he will.

July 15, 2011 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |

Donkey Party

Sure, Americans are ready to vote for an anti-American secessionist. Umm, not really.

July 15, 2011 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |

DumbasRocks [R]s

Hey all you Conserva-tards and Teatards. How about the plight of your hero Murdoch and his crumbling media empire that has been feeding off of all you lowest-common-denominators all these years. The putrification of today's so-called conservatism is causing such a stench, that even many of you can no longer ignore it.

And to ensure the downfall of the Murdoch empire, we progressives won't even have to dress up like prostitutes, film ourselves with some of your backwards media heroes, and then hack the film to fit our message. You rightwing apologists spent so much time contriving false accusations about out-of-the-way liberal groups like Acorn andf Planned Parenthood, you guys FAILED to notice the real and criminal MALIGNANCY in your own backyard!

And you guys want to be back in charge of our government?! Surely you jest!

July 15, 2011 05:46 pm at 5:46 pm |

vet in texas

This is hilarious,

Rick Perry took away our freedoms by mandating teenage girls have to get an HPV vaccine
Rick Perry took away privately owned property and sold it in order to make foreign owned toll roads
Rick Perry ran in 2010 stating Texas doesn't have any budget issues
Rick Perry claimed the gulf spill was an "act of God"
Rick Perry is not liked in Texas, not by the minorities, not by the homeowners who pay property taxes, not by tea partiers, and not by conservatives, he is the strongest GOP candidate who can win the nominee, but he will never be able to sway independants.

Please wear rubber waders when you go to hear his speeches, it will save you alot in cleaning bills

July 15, 2011 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |

The D

Palin 2012!

Go see the film 'The Undefeated' and you'll know why...

July 15, 2011 06:05 pm at 6:05 pm |

Mikey

Perry can't beat Obama. No one in the field has a chance on their own merits. The only thing that can beat Obama is 9% unemployment. Kinda explains why the new Congress has done absolutely nothing about jobs – remember, their #1 priority.

We have gotten anti-planned parenthood, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, and a bill about light bulbs. This is the most ineffective congress in decades. The only thing they are good at is blocking the fire trucks after they set the house afire during under W – and that may be on purpose becase their stated #1 priority is really "To make President Obama a one term President." That is actually what they have said. Economy and American public be damned.

July 15, 2011 06:09 pm at 6:09 pm |

jheron

There is so much dirt to throw at Perry its not even funny. He is governor because he is republican and too many areas in Texas would vote a corpse in if it was a Good ol' boy Republican.
Most of the country won't buy his garbage.
Vet in Texas, you forgot 2 more things...
He got his healthcare Tort reform in Texas promising lower Healthcare costs....one week later, it was announced most premiums were going to be hiked 25%.
He also tried to cover up that he had an innocent man executed.

July 15, 2011 06:14 pm at 6:14 pm |

Wise1Speak

KNOWING RICK PERRY

(1.) – Perry is so dumb he makes George W. Bush appear scholarly.
(2.) – Perry is so wicked he makes George W. Bush appear Holy and compassionate.
(3.) – Perry is so stupid he is willing to initialize another Civil War by forcing Texas to secede from the Union.

July 15, 2011 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |

TomNPitt

What a Circus this Republican crew is. Bring Perry into the Tent!! We're going to have so many "Gods", "Idols" and lunatic religious traditions that it's going to look like the Cecil B Demille movie of the Bible. The only thing we'll be missing is Moses holding up his rifle over his head! That's because it's been replaced by a Glock under his robe. What a Freakin' Mess!!

July 15, 2011 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |

Claudia, Houston, Tx

Perry aka Bush, Cheney dba Halliburton, Rove et al, Koch Brothers; no more Presidents from Texas, this country will never forget Bushes.

July 15, 2011 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |

S. In California - Obama 2012

But Palin in particular would make the race "real interesting" for Bachmann because both Republicans are "articulate women who sometimes attract the same kind of voter."

Yes, they do they're called WHITE TRASH. Those who still believe they are superior when in fact they are inferior in every way.

July 15, 2011 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

There, I said it

He reminds me of a slave owmer. Him and Preacher John "Obama is the Debill and the Pope is the Anti-Christ" Hagee are having a Texas Prayer day. Mary Fallin, Governor of Oklahoma asking the people to pray for rain, while her GOP croonies put a measure on the ballot to draw out the GOP vote by elimanating EOE. Too many Black faces at those low paying State jobs. I'll pray Perry is not President.

July 15, 2011 06:44 pm at 6:44 pm |

The Greedy Old Pigs have lost their minds!

Anyone who thinks Perry is the "answer" is obviously asking the wrong questions. Perry blew a 23 BILLION dollar hole in the Texas budget. He's about as good a "fiscal conservative" as Bush was. You may think Bush was the worst president ever, or the worst from Texas, but Perry will set new records in both categories. He's that bad.

July 15, 2011 07:26 pm at 7:26 pm |

H.A.M 99

Texas is a welfare state. Texas has many, if not more military bases and goverment contractors than any other state. They are glad they get farm subsidies, because of the drought.

July 15, 2011 07:29 pm at 7:29 pm |

once upon a horse

@ vet in texas.....

lol you can tell a fellow Texas resident because most of us know the TRUTH about Rick Perry. And here again we have another candidate. telling us that GOD has told him to run. I have no problem with people having religion, I have my own, but I do have one with those who think the way they worship is the ONLY way it's supposed to be and the rest of us are heathens. And on top of that most of these religious zealots fail to live up to what they preach. That fast/prayer thing Perry is having here next month features some of the most racist, homophobic, sexist, intolerant people in this nation and they try to pass themselves off as being the ones chosen by the Almighty. The truth about Perry's job creation in our state is going to come to face also. Sure there are more jobs down here than average, if you like low paying minimum wage jobs with little to no benefits. Wages average in Texas are lower while property taxes average are higher. I had never heard of a dang MUD TAX until I had to move to Texas. From Tom Delay to Louie Gombert the politicans here in Texas are pathetic.